Tidying up has become a global phenomenon, largely thanks to Marie Kondo, the Japanese guru of decluttering, and her KonMari method. Her Netflix show and best-selling book have inspired millions to discard the old and embrace a calmer, more organised way of life.
If you’re reading this surrounded by mounds of paper at your desk, you might be wondering whether some decluttering could boost your productivity in the office. The short answer is yes—but surprisingly, there can also be benefits to letting things pile up. Here’s what the experts have to say.
How a messy desk wastes your time
If you’ve ever found yourself frantically searching through a mountain of paperwork for a report that was “just here a moment ago,” you’re not alone. Research shows that the average worker spends about one week each year simply searching for misplaced items among the clutter.
Beyond the time wasted, mishandling paperwork can lead to mistakes with customers, directly impacting your company’s bottom line.
The hidden stress of clutter
It’s not just about losing time—working in a cluttered environment can also impact your overall well-being. Studies have found that people who live and work in cluttered spaces are more likely to procrastinate and have difficulty focusing.
“Cluttered spaces can have negative effects on our stress and anxiety levels, as well as our ability to focus, our eating choices, and even our sleep,” says Libby Sander, assistant professor of organisational behaviour at the Bond University Business School.
Perception matters: what your messy desk says about you
You may think you’re too busy working to tidy up, but your colleagues might just see you as disorganised. A survey of 1,000 workers found that people often judge their messy co-workers harshly, with nearly half admitting they’ve been “appalled” by the state of a colleague’s workspace. Many attribute messiness to pure laziness.
So, if you’re aiming to climb the career ladder, it might be worth considering what your desk is saying about you.
The creative benefits of controlled chaos
Despite the drawbacks of clutter, there’s one surprising benefit: a messy environment might actually foster creativity. In one experiment, researchers asked participants to come up with new uses for ping pong balls. Those in messy rooms generated more imaginative and unconventional ideas than those in tidy spaces.
“Disorderly environments seem to inspire breaking free from tradition, which can lead to fresh insights,” explains social psychologist Kathleen Vohs. “In contrast, orderly environments tend to encourage convention and sticking to the tried-and-true.”